For the birds and me…

Self-seeding, prolific native bloomer. That’s just part of what makes Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) a popular garden flower. This perrenial happily grows in sunfilled gardens. The “cone” of seeds that remain after blooms end are favorite food for birds. I used to keep mine un-cut all winter as feast food for the Goldfinch. Copyright 2025 Pamela Breitberg
Coneflowers are fun to photograph and paint because each petal moves independently in the grassy prairie breezes. Their blooms stand up on stiff stems, helping them show themselves inside the prairie grasses. Copyright 2025 Pamela Breitberg
Each Coneflower seems to have its own personality. Copyright 2025 Pamela Breitberg
New flowers, like the one on the lower right, open with a stiff upright, crown-shaped petal arrangement. Copyright 2025 Pamela Breitberg
Coneflower seedheads begin to form as the blooms mature. Here, a Prairie Garlic peeks out among the Coneflower. I continue to share more images from my visit to Lurie Garden last month. Copyright 2025 Pamela Breitberg
As a Coneflower’s bloomtime wanes, the petals begin to droop, and the cone-shaped seedhead becomes the dominant feature. Copyright 2025 Pamela Breitberg

Personalities

Spring up inside the prairie

Daisy-like blooms shine.

Bright purple petals

Fade to pale as they grow old

Less brilliant, but still dear

Coneflower native.

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